[TAIWAN] New issue: 100th Anniversary of the Taipei Zoo Commemorative Issue

Date of issue: October 16, 2014

Established in 1914 in Yuanshan, Taipei Zoo is the oldest zoo in Taiwan. It relocated to Muzha in Wenshan area 72 years later. The year 2014 marks the zoo’s 100th anniversary. To commemorate this ocassion, Chunghwa Post is releasing a set of six stamps featuring protected wild animals. The designs follow:

1. Formosan Serow (5TWD): This serow is dark tan in color all over. The center of its nape is black. The underside of the chin, the jaw, and the throat are light tan. It has a short tail. Both the female and the male wear conical horns that stay with them lifelong.
2. Formosan Pangolin (5TWD): It earns its Chinese name for its armor shells and its preference to dig burrows. It has a conical head, a pointy mouth, small eyes, and thick eyelids. With the exception of its mouth, the cheeks, the chin, the throat, the belly, and the inside of its four legs, the animal is covered in taupe-colored shells. Though toothless, it has five claws on all of its four legs; its forelimbs are particularly strong.
3. Asian Elephant (10TWD): The Asian elephant is a majestic animal with four powerful legs, and dark gray coloring. Its tube-like, boneless trunk is an elongation of the upper lip and nose combined.
The trunk is built with flexible muscle tissues, and can be manipulated, extended and contracted at will. The elephant uses its trunk for drinking, grasping objects, picking up food, and watering with ease.
4. Formosan Black Bear (10TWD): The bear has black, coarse fur all over, with a tuft of white hair on its chin. On its chest is a distinctive, whitish "V" pattern. The bear is a subspecies endemic to Taiwan, and the largest land mammal on the island.
5. Bengal Tiger (12TWD): It has yellow or muster yellow coloring, and is covered with thin, black stripes; the stripes on its head are more densely distributed. Its belly is white. The back of its ears is black, spotted with white. The tiger has an excellent sense of hearing, razor-sharp teeth, and retractable shark claws. It is an apex predator in the forest, with stripes that offer exceptional disguise.
6. Giant Panda (12TWD): It has a pair of black eye patches, four strong limbs, and a thick black-and-white coat for protection in snowy winters. Its plump body allows him to survive on a bamboo diet, and a cool, damp weather. Its small black ears help him conserve energy. The design of this stamp features 4-month-old Yuan Zai snuggling to her mother Yuan Yuan.

[DPRK(North Korea)] New Issue: Tok Islet of Korea

Notice: This "detail of stamp" provided by Korea Stamp Co.,, DPRK. The articles as follow does not represent this blog's the position.

Date of issue: August 22, 2014

Tok Islet has been an inseparable part of Korean teritory the world recognizes in view of history and international law.
Korean ancestors had already discovered Tok Islet before 500 AD and used it as a fishery zone.
Korean nation keeps numerous historical records of noble patriotic struggles of Korean people to defend The Tok Islet.

30 KPW: A geographical map of Tok Islet.

FDC from Latvia

25th anniversary of the Baltic Chain. Joint Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian issue

The Baltic Chain on August 23, 1989, was a giant demonstration initiated to influence Soviet authorities and to express the will of freedom of the people of the three Baltic nations – a human chain of nearly seven hundred kilometres from Tallinn to Vilnius. The number of people standing along the route has been assessed at up to one million. The demonstration was scheduled to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which unlawfully changed the national status of the Baltic countries and robbed them of their independence. The Baltic Chain demonstrated to the whole world the will of freedom of the people of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and the non-violent character of their aspiration for freedom as well as their decision to win back their independence. This aroused a lot of attention throughout the world and contributed to their just and peaceful cause.

Estonia Issue: http://pood.post.ee/1946?id=1946&prod_id=8668
Lithuania Issue: http://www.post.lt/en/private/philately/news
Latvia Issue: http://www.pasts.lv/lv/footer/noderigi/zinas/filatelijas_zinas/2145-baltijas-cela-25-gadu-atcerei-tris-baltijas-valstis-vienlaikus-izdod-ipasas-pastmarkas-un-pastmarku-bloka-kopizdevumu

FDC from DPRK (North Korea)

FDC of WWF stamp from DPRK (North Korea)

[DPRK(North Korea)] Past Issue: New Year Address

Date of issue: February 1, 2014

The stamps were issued to reflect the main spirit of then New year address delivered by Marshal Kim Jong Un, Supreme leader of the Workers' Party of Korea and Korean people, to greet the new year Juche 103(2014). 
The new year Juche 103(2014) is the year of grandiose struggle and of great changes in which a fierce wind of the fresh leap will be raised on all fronts of building a socialist thriving nation to usher in a heyday of Songun Korea.
The stamps show the will of the Korean army and people who would usher in a great heyday in the revolution and construction by quickening the heroic advance full of conviction and enthusiasm in victory in the hopeful new year.

10 KPW: Let us hold up the torch of innovation in the sectors of agriculture, construction and science and technology in the van!
10 KPW: Let us raise a fierce wind of innovation in all the sectors of national economy including the vanguard sectors and basic industrial sectors!
10 KPW: Let us make a big stride in the construction of culture including education!
30 KPW: Let us continue to channel great efforts to strengthening the country's defence capabilities! 
30 KPW: Let us further consolidate the political and ideological position of the Korean revolution! 
30 KPW: Let us make a new headway in this year's national reunification movement true to the behests of the President Kim II Sung and Chairman Kim Jong II

FDC

[DPRK(North Korea)] New Issue: Commemoration of the Day of Songun

Date of issue: August 25, 2014

The Day of Songun when the great leader Comrade Kim Jong II started Songun revolutionary leadership was a historic day that etched an important milestone in the history of building our revolutionary armed force and in the annals of our motherland together with the Day of Founding of the Korean People's Anny. 

On August 25 Juche 49(1960) Kim Jong Il gave on-the-spot guidance to Seoul Ryu Kyong Su Guards 105th Tank Division which was a historic event that declared the succession of the revolutionary cause of Songun and a fresh start of Songun leadership.

30 KPW stamp: Let us remain faithful to the Songun revolutionary leadership of the great Comrade Kim Jong Un!

50 KPW stamp (sheetlet): Leader Kim Jong II beam-ing at a rich diet of the soldiers

50 KPW stamp (sheetlet): Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un inspecting the units of 4th corps com-mand of the KPA.

FDC

[DPRK(North Korea)]New Issue: WWF - Red-crowned crane

Date of issue: August 5,2014

10KPW, 30KPW, 50KPW, 110KPW: Red-crowned crane

FDC

stamp booklet

Postcard and Aerogramme

small sheet and full sheet

PS: If you want stamps and items as up, please contact: kiahsutw@gmail.com

[DPRK(North Korea)] New Issue: Medicinal Plants

Issue Date: July 17, 2014

30KPW: Aronia melanocarpa
50KPW: Lycium chinense
70KPW: Ginkgo biloba
110KPW: Crataegus pinnatifida var. major

FDC

                                                                               Small Sheet

Post card & Aerogramme

PS: If you want buy stamps or items as up, please contact: kiahsutw@gmail.com

FDC from Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh)

FDC of EUROPA '13 from Artsakh

[TAIWAN] New Issue: National Taiwan Library 100th Anniversary Commemorative Issue

Date of issue: August 9, 2014

The predecessor of the National Taiwan Library was the Taiwan Governor-general’s Office Library established in 1914, during the Japanese Occupation Period. It was rechristened several times: the Taiwan Province Administrative Governor Library; the Taiwan Province Taipei Library; the National Central Library Taiwan Branch; and finally, the National Taiwan Library, the name and the reorganization of which were approved by the Executive Yuan on January 1, 2013. It is the oldest public library in Taiwan. 

The Library houses a remarkable cumulation of Taiwan’s historic records that dates back to the Japanese Occupation Period. The Library is revered for its rich book collection and readily available resources for readers; it aims at upgrading library serviceableness and social education. In addition to the pioneering "Children’s Reading Room," "BookMobile," and "Book Restoration Services," the Library also works to improve its versatility development by inaugurating "the Information Center for the Visually Impaired," "Taiwan Library Infirmary," and "Taiwan Study Research Center." The Library also keeps abreast with the high-tech development to build a digital library, a testament to the spirit of contemporary-mindedness.

In celebrating the Library’s 100th anniversary, Chunghwa Post is issuing a NT$12 stamp, with “Taiwan Governor-general’s Office Library" – its predecessor, and the contemporary "National Taiwan Library" as the theme. 

Cover from Curaçao(Kòrsou)／enveloppe de Curaçao

[TAIWAN]New Stamp: Alpine Lakes of Taiwan Postage Stamps (I)

Date of issue: July 17, 2014
To heighten recognition of the beauty of Taiwan’s alpine lakes and further encourage our fellow citizens to treasure natural ecological resources, Chunghwa Post has planned a series of stamps on the motif. The first set features four lakes located at a higher altitude. The designs follow:
1. Cuichi Pond (NT$5): Situated in Miaoli County, Cuichi Pond has the highest altitude - about 3,520 meters - of any lakes in Taiwan. Its lake water never runs dry at anytime of the year. Even in the dead of winter, the water does not freeze over in whole. 
2. Tunlu Pond (NT$5): The lake sits in Nantou County, abutting upon Hualian County at an altitude about 2,840 meters. The lake was once the habitat of herds of deer. It brims with the infusion of surface and underground waters all year round. Oval-shaped, the lake is a proverbial mirror huddled by verdant mountain valleys.
3. Qicai Lake (NT$10): The lake is located in Hualien County at an altitude about 2,890 meters. Mountaineers were charmed by the reflection of prismatic colors as sunrise rose above the lake, thus its name. Deer herds were sighted in earlier years, the lake therefore is also known as "Luchi (Deer Pond)." 
4. Jiaming Lake (NT$12): Seated in Taitung County, the lake sits on the second-highest elevation – about 3,310 meters - of any lakes in Taiwan. Jiaming Lake is reputed as "the sapphire that God left in the world of mortals" and "the Tear of an Angel."

Cover from Fürstentum Liechtenstein／enveloppe du Liechtenstein

[Taiwan]Latest Stamp Issue: Communications Construction Souvenir Sheet – Hua-tung Railway Electrification

In 2008 the Taiwan government began electrifying the Hua-tung (Hwalien-Taitung)Railway in order to raise transportation efficiency so as to speed up economic development in Eastern Taiwan. To accommodate with this project, the government also graded it from a single track to double tracks at sections where there were bottlenecks and undertook to straighten its route. The project is expected to be completed in 2014. After the completion of the electrification, the Puyuma Express trains will join the operation and bring a faster railway experience to the public. 

To increase the public’s understanding of this transportation infrastructure of electrification, Chunghwa Post is releasing a souvenir sheet with three postage stamps. The designs follow:

The three stamps feature the Hualien Station (NT$5), the Kecheng Bridge section (NT$12), and the Shanli Tunnel (NT$25) set against background images on the souvenir sheet of the Puyuma Express and the straightened elevated section of the railway in Yuemei. The images of the Puyuma Express and the Taroko Express running through fields both convey a great sense of movement. Also shown are the beautiful mountainous scenery of the East Rift Valley and the new local atmosphere that will be fostered with the completion of the railway electrification project.

FDC from south Korea

Korean-Made Character series stamps (4th)